Page 14 of Forever Fascinating

“Putup or shut up time, Emily…” Jana hissed, nearly yanking the other woman into the janitor’s closet. “We need to talk, and I have a huge favor I need from you.”

“What are you doing?” Emily hissed, immediately gathering up the voluminous skirts to keep them from dipping in the dirty mop bucket that was on casters in the middle of the room. “It smells like a spoiled wash rags and Pine Sol in here! Can we talk anywhere else?”

“No,” Jana whispered, panicked. “Keep your voice down – please.”

“What is going on?”

“I need your help… and it’s a secret.”

“Nuh-uh…” Emily flatly denied, reaching for the handle. “I’m out.”

“It involves the man you were watching…” and Jana nearly crowed in delight seeing the other woman freeze and slowly turn back to her. Emily’s eyes were alit with anger and curiosity – a heady combination.

“You actually like him, you like X-Ray, don’t you?”

“Your date is gorgeous, but I’m not trying to bethatwoman…”

“Girl… please,pleeeease, bethatwoman!” Jana practically begged. “I’mnothis date. I swear it. I’m his friend – a pen pal – and this is the first time I’ve even met the guy. He’s super sweet, lonely, needs a friend, but my goodness – he seriously does nothing for me.”

“What?”

“Remember the three things we wanted in a guy? He’s lacking two of them. He’s got the job… yayyy,” she drawled flatly, grasping at both of Emily’s hands.

“He’s really nice and if you like him – then you need to be his date for the night. Tell him I’m sick in the bathroom or went home… or went anywhere else.”

Jana hated the desperation in her voice, but she no longer wanted X-Ray to hold a dance for her. Nope. She wanted every dance with the other pilot who immediately stroked her interest like a tiger sniffing meat.

“You’re not serious…” Emily gaped, stunned. “Oh my gosh. Youareserious? You want me to be his date – and he doesn’t know it? What am I going to say? How am I supposed…”

“I don’t know but I’ve got to get out of it… please.”

“Is this because of Vapor? I saw you looking at him.”

The two women eyed each other… and Jana nodded, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment and shame.

She was wanting to ditch a decent guy to simply have a chance at talking with the other one who’s call sign she now knew. He called himselfVapor. There might be nothing there or he might be a complete loser, but if she didn’t try? She knew it would haunt her.

“Your brother is not going to like this…”

“I know he’s not,” Jana admitted, realizing that he’d picked X-Ray because the guy would be a decent friend to her. The other man oozed temptation and by basically silently implying that Vapor was off limits?

That just made him ten times more appealing to Jana.

She could feel her toes curling already.

“I don’t know about this…”

“Emily,pleeeease…” Jana whispered, begging. “Things might go really badly, and I might walk back inside in less than a few minutes if he tells me to buzz off – but I swear I won’t interrupt you if that happens.”

Emily stood silently, not meeting Jana’s eyes.

Jana could feel her heart thumping wildly in her chest.

If she was going to say hello to Vapor, it needed to be away from her brother’s watchful eyes. If Jace saw her, he would immediately interrupt, making her feel like a child… and she didn’t want anything to ruin his wedding.

“If you like X-Ray and he lights a fire for you, by golly… go stoke that burning blaze woman. I’ll bring the marshmallows. I promise. I’m sincerely not interested in him.”

“Are you sure?” Emily said, drawing in a deep, shaky breath and looking hopeful in that moment – and a little nervous.

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